Traffic enforcement on Police Motorcycles has been a tradition in the El Segundo Police Department since the 1920's. One of the first El Segundo Police vehicles was a Harley Davidson motorcycle, ridden by then Captain James Cummings, the grandfather of former El Segundo Police Chief, David Cummings. Motorcycle technology has advanced since the early days and today El Segundo Motorcycle Officers ride the BMW R 1250 RT-P, one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles in the industry. 

All El Segundo Motorcycle Officers must complete intensive training and certification. The training is so rigorous, the attrition rate for perspective motorcycle officers who enter motor-school is well over 50%. In school during the testing phase, only perfection will earn a passing grade. Officers must maneuver a fully equipped Police motorcycle weighing in excess of 700 lbs. through a variety of coned patterns multiple times without so much as glancing a delineator or touching the hand or foot brake. They are also tested on high-speed braking and maneuvering, which must also be completed multiple times without error. 

After graduating motor school, Motorcycle Officers are responsible for traffic enforcement, collision investigation and accident reconstruction. All schools related to accident investigation and reconstruction are extremely difficult to complete and require strong math skills to include calculus. 

The El Segundo Police Department currently has three riding officers. All have a wide-range of individual police experience and they include:

• Sergeant Armando Rodriguez is a 28-year veteran and is currently assigned to the Special Operations Division as the Traffic Supervisor. He has worked several assignments such as Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective in Investigations, Solo Motor Officer, SWAT Operator, Regional Gang Task Force Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Active Shooter Instructor, Long Rifle Instructor, and the Traffic Accident Reconstruction Specialist for the Department. Sergeant Rodriguez is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is the recipient of the South Bay Medal of Honor in 2013 and the Distinguished Service Awards in 2019, along with Officer of the Year in 2020.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Master Degree in Public Administration from National University.   

• Officer Kaitlin Ross is a 5-year veteran who has worked Patrol. Officer Ross is the first female motor officer in the nearly 100 year history of the El Segundo Police Department. Officer Ross has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Western Oregon University and graduated from the Rio Hondo Police Academy. 

• Officer Matt Rice is a 6-year veteran who has worked Patrol and SWAT. Prior to becoming a Sworn Police Officer, Officer Rice worked as a Police Cadet with the city of El Segundo. While working as a cadet, Officer Rice attended UCLA where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In his free time, Officer Rice enjoys watching his favorite sport teams (UCLA, Lakers, Steelers, Dodgers).